Lizzo Becomes 1st Person to Play James Madison’s 200-Year-Old Flute: ‘Like Playing Out of a Wine Glass’
29.09.2022 - 21:31
/ usmagazine.com
Special! Lizzo recently showed off her skills on a very unique instrument: former President James Madison’s 200-year-old crystal flute.
“YALL … THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LET ME PLAY THEIR HISTORIC 200 YEAR OLD CRYSTAL FLUTE ON STAGE TONIGHT— NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE … NOW YOU DO,” the “Truth Hurts” singer, 34, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, September 28, alongside a video of herself playing the woodwind at her concert in Washington, D.C. one day prior.
“It’s like playing out of a wine glass,” the Grammy winner quipped as she walked up to the microphone with the instrument. “Be patient.”
A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)
The historic moment came together after Dr. Carla Hayden, the current Librarian of Congress, invited Lizzo (real name: Melissa Jefferson) to visit the Library of Congress while she was in town. “The @librarycongress has the largest flute collection in the world with more than 1,800. It incl Pres James Madison’s 1813 crystal flute,” Hayden, 70 tweeted on September 23. “@lizzo we would love for you to come see it and even play a couple when you are in DC next week. Like your song they are ‘Good as hell.'”
One day later, the “Special” songstress replied: “IM COMING CARLA! AND IM PLAYIN THAT CRYSTAL FLUTE!!!!!”
Before the show, the Michigan native toured the library with her mom, band members and Hayden. Staff members told The New York Times that the rapper spent more than three hours at the library, trying out a handful of historic instruments including a piccolo from John Philip Sousa’s band.
Lizzo couldn’t contain her excitement after she played a few notes during her show. “Bitch I just twerked and played James Madison’s crystal flute from the 1800s!” the Yitty designer exclaimed after